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Immunotherapy of Myasthenia Gravis

  • Chapter
Autoantibodies in Neurological Diseases

Part of the book series: Topics in Neuroscience ((TOPNEURO))

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Abstract

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an acquired autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction mediated by antibodies against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (anti-AChR Ab). Anti-AChR Ab, by cross-linking AChR molecules and activating the complement cascade, cause destruction of junctional AChR and simplification of the post-synaptic membrane [1, 2]. The reduced number of functional AChR accounts for the impaired neuromuscular transmission, leading to the muscle weakness and fatigability typical of MG patients. For a review of the clinical features of MG, see [3].

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Myopathology and Immunology Unit, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, National Neurological Institute “Carlo Besta”, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy

    C. Antozzi, F. Baggi, F. Andreetta, M. Milani, A. Annoni, P. Bernasconi & R. Mantegazza

  2. Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, National Neurological Institute “Carlo Besta”, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy

    F. Cornelio

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  1. C. Antozzi
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  2. F. Baggi
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  3. F. Andreetta
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  4. M. Milani
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  7. R. Mantegazza
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neurosciences Group, Department of Clinical Neurology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK

    Angela Vincent

  2. Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy

    Gianvito Martino

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© 2002 Springer-Verlag Italia

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Antozzi, C. et al. (2002). Immunotherapy of Myasthenia Gravis. In: Vincent, A., Martino, G. (eds) Autoantibodies in Neurological Diseases. Topics in Neuroscience. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2097-9_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2097-9_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

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